There were plenty of Vikings without horned helmets in 'The Girl Who Died'. There is very little evidence either way regarding Vikings having horned helmets. The only examples that have been found did not have horns, but this does not definitively prove that all Vikings did not have horned helmets. Historical evidence from pre-Viking age mentions the Germanic tribes having horned helmets and there is plenty of pre-Viking evidence from Scandinavia itself that shows that horned helmets were known and used. The Viking Oseberg tapestry (circa 850 CE) does show a figure in a horned helmet, but if this a Viking warrior, priest, ruler or someone from a non-Viking culture cannot be established.
One of the reasons that Vikings became the plundering rascals that we know them as today is their situation regarding resources. The Iron they had access to was very scarce and poor quality, so they relied on trade and plunder. Iron helmets would have been very rare and sought after, so if you picked one up on a raid or following a battle, you would have probably worn it regardless of adornments, even if you just wore it at the post battle celebratory feast!. I imagine that a Viking army would have been made up of warriors decked out in a mishmash of arms and armour, plundered from all the various cultures that they interacted with, with some necessary standard equipment such as shields for creating defensive walls.

Im again looking forward to tomorrow's episode, I hope its a good one! The following week looks to be even bigger though as...

As always only open the spoiler if you are prepared for it!

Well, it's not the first time that's happened. It will be sad, but as the Doctor has done before, he has to move on.

Remember the endings to Series 2, Series 4 and Series 7 Part 1?

Yes true (I think you might have partly given my spoiler away no worries though), these times have to happen else the show wouldnt ever move on!

I've just read on the Telegraph website that tomorrow when the episode goes out, the theme tune will not be heard. It's been dropped from the episode, to give people a more immerse viewing pleasure.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...ore-on-tv.html

It was writer and actor Mark Gatiss' decision to do this.

Well, that was quite a bold move there, I'd say. Not sure everyone will like that. I prefer the theme tune playing, as it gets you into the episode. I feel as though something's missing otherwise.

OK, ok! So The Bluffer's Guide to the Vikings is not an authoritative historical treatise either!

Which was the last episode of series 9 to be filmed: this or Hell Bent? Because this one seemed to go into production quite late.

I'd also be interested to know if this was originally meant to be a solo Doctor adventure, because it's been claimed that Face the Raven was moved from its original spot to later in the season so that it could lead into the 2-part finale. Bearing that in mind, and the fact that Clara might be leaving in Face the Raven (Heaven Sent is just the Doctor on his own), I wonder if this was originally going to be another solo Doctor outing taking place after Face the Raven.

The TV series "Vikings" would probably give a more realistic view of what Vikings wore into battle when they first started raiding. Little in the way of protection except a shield, spears, axes and any other weapons like swords often picked up in battle. Even the Saxons depicted looked like a lot of their armour was made from cast offs left behind by the Romans.

http://www.popsugar.com/entertainmen...photo-37531956

At the Doctor Who Festival today, Moffat did have a pop saying he would show Vikings wearing helmets if he wanted to. They also had the appearance of the Sandman as well during the Mark Gatiss interview with one of the MFX team about how the aliens are designed.

IMO, Yes - His episodes have appeared in the top half of my Series rankings every series (Crimson Horror just missing out in Series 7 when he wrote two episodes)

Unquiet Dead (Top 3 of Series 1)
Idiots Lantern (Top 4 of Series 2)
Victory of the Daleks (Top 4 of Series 5)
Night Terrors (Top 3 of Series 6)
Cold War (Top 2 of Series 7)
and Robot of Sherwood (Top 5 of Series 8)

Just stick to proper historical facts in future. You know; Shakespeare was bi-sexual, Agatha Christie attended winter garden parties, Terileptils started The Great Fire of London, that sort of thing.

Thats a big shocker! I guess we will only get it in the closing credits?

I wonder what they'll play over the altered titles instead of the theme? Perhaps video generated 'white noise'?

From the trailer, the monsters look pretty decent. Although, given the episode's Mcguffin, I'll be surprised if they don't come from one of the characters nightmares. No, I haven't read anything of this thread yet.

I imagine that there wont be a usual titles video and the titles will just appear at the bottom of the screen over the start of the show.

I wonder how soon after the episode starts we'll be getting the first "this is the worst episode ever" post of the week

Trailer for an hour long advert for Adele's new album

Buggles !

Ironic given the name of their one and only hit that this episode involves a lot of video footage

Or it might be a deliberate move of the part of Gatiss

Was that the title screen? I like the experimental theme Moffat taking

I'm not sure anyone but us is watching it.

Space Pirates a nod to the 2nd Doctor story??

http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Spa...ates_(TV_story)

Chopra is the only thing keeping my interest at the moment. Hawt.

Sandman?

Ooh this is good. Hope it doesn't degenerate

That song may be a bit of a giveaway